In North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell skillfully fuses individual feeling with social concern, and in Margaret Hale creates one of the most original heroines of Victorian literature.
North and South (1854-1855) by Elizabeth Gaskell is a classic social novel that contrasts the industrial north of England with the more rural and aristocratic south, exploring issues of class conflict, labor relations, and the role of women in Victorian society. At its heart, it’s also a compelling love story, often compared to Pride and Prejudice for its opposites-attract dynamic.
The story follows Margaret Hale, a young woman from the rural south who moves with her family to the industrial town of Milton in the north after her father leaves the church over a crisis of faith. Milton is a gritty, bustling manufacturing town, and Margaret is initially horrified by the harsh conditions of the working class, especially as she befriends a mill worker family, the Higginses.
Margaret’s life becomes intertwined with that of John Thornton, a stern and self-made mill owner who represents the industrial north. Thornton is initially presented as cold and unfeeling, especially towards his workers, whom he sees as a means to an end. He and Margaret clash over their differing views on labor relations and social justice, with Margaret advocating for the workers and Thornton defending the harsh realities of capitalism.
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